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Scoresby Sund

Northeast Greenland Extreme

Akureyri - Longyearbyen - Example 14 Day Cruise aboard MV Hondius
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Embark on a 14-day cruise aboard the MV Hondius. Begin with a scenic drive through northern Iceland to the embarkation in Akureyri, where your ship departs for the Arctic Circle. Spot whales, seabirds, and stunning icebergs before arriving in Greenland’s Scoresby Sund, the world’s largest fjord. Navigate among massive glaciers, giant icebergs, and unique basalt formations, then hike rugged coasts and encounter wildlife, from Arctic hares to musk oxen. In Ittoqqortoormiit, Greenland’s only eastern settlement, experience local culture and scenic fjords. Pass iconic peaks and glaciers in Alpefjord and Teufelschloss, then discover Thule culture sites on Clavering Ø and historic islands with early polar expedition landmarks. Sailing through sea ice to Germania Land, witness pristine Arctic landscapes and wildlife, including polar bears and musk oxen. Conclude by crossing toward Spitsbergen’s walrus haul-outs, with a final disembarkation in Longyearbyen, Svalbard.
Bearded seal in Svalbard, NorwayHiking through the arctic tundra.Unforgettable shades of blueUnique villages of Greenland.Hiking the snowy hillsides of Greenland.Stunning views from your zodiac cruiseBe on the lookout for fantastic Arctic wildlife, such as shaggy muskoxen, while on your polar explorationHarp Seal Pup NursingA bearded seal watches your approachSpot the Minke whaleScoresby SundScoresby Sund
Highlights
  • Sail Akureyri’s scenic fjord for majestic northern Iceland views and wildlife
  • Explore Kap Brewster’s icy coast with first sightings of icebergs nearby
  • Discover Scoresby Sund’s massive fjords filled with colossal, grounded icebergs
  • Visit Sydkap’s towering icebergs, and hike shores for Arctic wildlife encounters
Activities
Places Visited
Activity Level: Variable
Activity options vary depending on destination and operator. Activity level is determined by the range and intensity of activities you choose to participate in. Discuss with your Trip Planner which options are best for you.
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Full Itinerary

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Day 1: Akureyri | Embark

Your adventure begins in the morning with an optional transfer by chartered bus (T) from Reykjavik's Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Centre at Austurbakki, Reykjavik (the meeting point) to the ship in Akureyri (the embarkation point). After a scenic six-hour drive through northern Iceland, arrive in the afternoon, ready to embark.

Please note: This transfer (T) must be booked and paid for in advance.

In the early evening, the ship departs Akureyri, often offering whale sightings at the fjord's mouth, and later crosses the Arctic Circle overnight.

Day 2: Sailing to East Greenland

As you sail north, watch for fulmars, kittiwakes, gannets, common guillemots—and possibly whales. By evening, the first icebergs come into view near Greenland’s eastern coast at Kap Brewster, filling the air with a thrilling sense of adventure.

Day 3: Scoresby Sund

Today, you reach Scoresby Sund, sailing along the glaciated Volquart Boons Kyst. You may also enjoy a Zodiac cruise past one of the glacier fronts, along with a visit to the basalt columns and ice formations of Vikingebugt.

In the afternoon, you plan to sail by the east coast of Milne Land among a multitude of giant icebergs. If you can also land at Charcot Havn, you may walk to the Charcot Glacier. Then, continue Bjorneoer, a small group of islands – Bear Islands in English.

Day 4: Sydkap

In the morning, encounter colossal icebergs, some over 100 meters (328 feet) high and more than a kilometer (.62 mile) long. Most are grounded, as the fjord is only about 400 meters deep (1,312 feet). You then land near Sydkap, with fine views of Hall Bredning and a good shot of seeing Arctic hares.

Today’s long walk goes from Sydkap to Nordostbugt (12 km, 7.5 miles to the northeast), where the river coming from Holger Danskes Briller flows into the sea. You plan to walk south along the shore to Satakajik, seeing whale vertebrae and the remains of Thule summer houses. Passengers who opt out of the long walking group will join at this location for their second excursion of the day.

Day 5: Ittoqqortoormiit

The morning stop is at Ittoqqortoormiit, the only settlement in Scoresby Sund with about four hundred inhabitants. At the post office, you can buy stamps for your postcards or stroll around to see the sled dogs and drying skins of seals, polar bears, and musk oxen. In the afternoon, you sail north, passing the picturesque landscapes of Liverpool Land. In the night, sail into Kong Oscar Fjord.

Day 6: Alpefjord’s lofty peaks

Today, you enter Segelsallskapets Fjord, with the striped slopes of the Berzelius Mountains bordering the north side. Land on the south shore, where ancient sedimentary formations lie at your feet. A hike takes you near a small lake with good chances to see musk oxen, Arctic hares, and ptarmigans.

Alternatively, the ship ventures into Alpefjord, aptly named for the spire-like peaks that thrust up around it. You may then embark on a Zodiac cruise around Gully Glacier, which once blocked access to the interior of these waters. Continuing deep into the fjord, you experience a definitive Greenland adventure.

Day 7: The islands of Antarctic Sound

In the early morning, you pass by the islands of Ruth, Maria, and Ella. Then you arrive at Teufelschloss (Devil’s Castle), a mountain with impressive layered geology. Blomsterbugt and the intended landing site are on the other side of the fjord. In the afternoon, you sail, among icebergs, through the majestic Kaiser Franz Joseph Fjord and Mackenzie Bugt.

Day 8: Remains of Thule Culture at Eskimonaes

You hope to land at Eskimonaes on the southern shore of Clavering Ø, where Douglas Clavering met a small group of Thule culture people in 1823. This group represents the only living Thule people ever seen in Northeast Greenland. The remains of their existence can be found across Greenland.

Day 9: Islands with polar history

From early in the morning until late in the day, sail by a choice of islands, where more than a century ago, the first polar expeditions set feet on land: Sabine Ø and Bass Rock (Pendulum Islands), where Edward Sabine did his Pendulum experiments in 1823, and cabins built by the Baldwin-Ziegler Polar Expedition were constructed. In the night, pass Shannon Ø.

Day 10: Store Koldewey

This long island was named after the second German Polar Expedition of Koldewey in 1869 –’70. You try to land on historical Kap Alf Trolle or Kap Ahrend. You are now well into the High Arctic climate regime. The landscape is getting lower and rounded, being much less alpine than more to the south. You may encounter heavier sea ice streaming south. Proposed landing sites may be given up due to sea ice, and others may be reachable.

Day 11: Germania Land

Today, you could land at Thoms Thomsen Naes, Fyrretyvekilometersnaesset, or another site in Germania Land, an area with musk oxen and sometimes a lonely wolf. The landing sites depend on ice, weather conditions, and wildlife opportunities.

Day 12: Through or around the sea ice

When sailing eastward through and along the jagged edge of the Northeast Greenland sea ice, you watch for whales, seals, polar bears, and migrating seabirds. This is a landscape of constant change and a real frontier for many species found in the Arctic.

Day 13: Approaching Spitsbergen

At open sea now, you sail eastward toward Spitsbergen in the northernmost branch of the warm Gulf Stream. If time allows, you may land late in the day at the walrus haul-out at Poolepynten.

Day 14: Longyearbyen | Disembark

  • 1 Breakfast
In Longyearbyen, the administrative center of Spitsbergen, you may enjoy strolling around this former mining town, whose parish church and Svalbard Museum are fascinating attractions. Alternatively, you can board the first plane to Oslo for your onward journey.

Ship/Hotel

MV Hondius

Hondius
Hondius Grand Suite Balcony
Hondius Reception

Dates & Prices

My Preferred Start Date

Per person starting at
$8,550 2-3 travelers
MV Hondius
Quadruple Porthole
Located on deck 3. Approximately 129 to 194 sq. ft. 2 portholes, 2 upper & lower berths, Small sofa, Private shower & toilet, Flatscreen TV, Desk & chair, Telephone and WiFi, Coffee & tea maker, Hairdryer, Cabinet, Wardrobe.
MV Hondius
Triple Porthole
Located on deck 3. Approximately 129 to 194 sq. ft. 2 portholes, 1 upper berth & 2 lower berths, Small sofa, Private shower & toilet, Flatscreen TV, Desk & chair, Telephone and WiFi, Coffee & tea maker, Hairdryer, Cabinet, Wardrobe.
MV Hondius
Twin Porthole
Located on deck 3. Approximately 129 to 194 sq. ft. 2 portholes, 2 single beds, Small sofa, Private shower & toilet, Flatscreen TV, Desk & chair, Telephone and WiFi, Coffee & tea maker, Hairdryer, Cabinet, Wardrobe.
MV Hondius
Twin Window
Located on deck 4. Approximately 129 to 151 sq. ft. 1 window, 2 single beds, Small sofa, Private shower & toilet, Flatscreen TV, Desk & chair, Telephone and WiFi, Coffee & tea maker, Hairdryer, Cabinet, Wardrobe.
MV Hondius
Twin deluxe
Located on deck 6. Approximately 205 to 226 sq. ft. 2 windows, 2 single beds, Sofa, Private shower & toilet, Flatscreen TV, Desk & chair, Telephone and WiFi, Refrigerator, Coffee & tea maker, Hairdryer, Cabinet, Wardrobe.
MV Hondius
Superior
Located on deck 6. Approximately 215 to 226 sq. ft. 2 windows, 1 double bed, Sofa, Private shower & toilet, Flatscreen TV, Desk & chair, Telephone and WiFi, Refrigerator, Coffee & tea maker, Hairdryer, Cabinet, Wardrobe.
MV Hondius
Junior Suite
Located on deck 7. Approximately 205 to 215 sq. ft. 1 double window, 1 double bed, Sofa, Private shower & toilet, Flatscreen TV, Desk & chair, Telephone and WiFi, Refrigerator, Coffee & tea maker, Hairdryer, Cabinet, Wardrobe.
Grand Suite with Private BalconyMV Hondius
Grand Suite with balcony
Located on deck 7. Approximately 291 sq. ft. 1 double window, 1 double bed, Sofa, Private balcony, Private shower & toilet, Flatscreen TV, Desk & chair, Telephone and WiFi, Refrigerator, Coffee & tea maker, Hairdryer, Cabinet, Wardrobe.

Notes

Single supplement - Single occupancy of a twin cabin is available at 1.7 times the twin occupancy rate.
Child discount: Children aged 3-15 will be discounted 40% in triple or quad cabins, one child per cabin.
Included
  • 13 Breakfasts, 12 Lunches, 13 Dinners
  • 13 Nights Accommodations
  • Accommodations as listed
  • Ground transportation as listed
  • Activities as listed
  • Meals as listed
  • Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
  • Program of lectures by noted naturalists and leadership by experienced expedition staff.
  • All Miscellaneous Service Taxes and Port Charges Throughout the Program
  • All shore excursions and activities throughout the voyage by Zodiac.
  • Free use of rubber boots and snowshoes.
  • All meals throughout the voyage aboard the ship including snacks, coffee and tea.
  • Comprehensive pre-departure material.
  • Upon boarding, passengers receive an internet voucher, providing 1.5 GB of free internet per day. This daily allowance resets every 24 hours. Supplementary internet vouchers are available to purchase on board for those requiring additional internet availability. This applies to all trips scheduled for the 2024-25 Antarctic season and will continue across all future motor vessel trips in both Antarctica and the Arctic.
  • AECO Fees and Governmental Taxes
  • Transfers and baggage handling between the airport, hotels and ship only for those passengers on the group flights to and from Longyearbyen
Excluded
  • Gratuities
  • Travel Insurance
  • Personal Expenses
  • Flight costs (please request a quote)
  • Additional excursions during free time
  • Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
  • Passport and Applicable Visa Expenses
  • Government arrival and departure taxes
  • Pre- and Post Land Arrangements
  • Fuel Surcharge - to be invoiced separately
  • Meals ashore
  • Baggage, cancellation and personal insurance (which is strongly recommended).
  • Excess baggage charges and all items of a personal nature such as laundry, bar, beverage charges and telecommunication charges.
  • Medical travel insurance, including emergency medical attention and evacuation coverage with a minimum of $100,000 of evacuation coverage is required.
  • Transfer supplement for bus shuttle between bus stop Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Centre at Austurbakki, Reykjavik and Akureyri (ship) (approx. 6 hours)

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Everything was amazing! The planning with Adventure Life went smoothly. The actual trip was fantastic! One of the best trips I have experienced. The cruise staff members were knowledgeable and attentive. I will be writing more about this on the blog!
Justin Chappelle

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